UFC champion calls out Max Holloway and vows to become first fighter to 'take his lights out'

Max Holloway has been called out by a UFC champion following his stunning victory against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

Holloway delivered arguably the best performance of his UFC career as he knocked out Gaethje in their BMF showdown last weekend.

He stopped 'The Highlight' with just one second left on the clock, claiming the BMF title.

The fight, which took place at 155lbs, was Holloway's first outing at lightweight since his clash with Dustin Poirier at UFC 236 back in April 2019.

But a return to the 145lbs division to challenge Ilia Topuria, who dethroned Alexander Volkanovski of the UFC featherweight title, appears to be on the cards.

And Topuria has set his sights on the former UFC featherweight king as he laid down the gauntlet for a fight 'before the end of the year' and vowed to knock out his legendary chin.

"Congrats on your performance Max,' he wrote on X. "Respect your story and everything you achieved with a beautiful family. Hopefully we gonna share the octagon before the end of the year and trust me you gonna feel something that you never felt before . I will be the first one to take your lights out. Philippians 4:13."

Ilia Topuria with Sergio Ramos as he parades his UFC title at the Bernabeu. Image: Getty

Holloway has now won three fights in a row since losing to Volkanovski at UFC 276 back in July 276.

He has options after his UFC 300 triumph as he eyes UFC titles at featherweight and lightweight.

"I got options, man. It feels great," he said at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference. "Dana’s happy. Hunter’s happy. Sean Shelby’s happy. We could sit down with the team and figure it out. I saw they just announced [Makhachev vs. Poirier for] the 155 title, so it looks like [Makhachev] is finally defending against a 155er, good on him."

'Blessed' added: "And like I said, you know, there’s 'El Matador'. He’s doing everything in his will to, try to escape a boo in the pen. So, you know, I’m here."